Improved adjustable heading-lever in spike-machines



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JOSHUA C. CARY, OF RICHMOND, VIRGINIA.

IMPVROVED ADJUSTABLE HEADING-LEVER IN SPlK-NIACHINES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 9,585, dated February 15, 1853.

To @ZZ whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOSHUA C. GARY, of Richmond, in the county of Henrico and State of Virginia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Spike-Machines; and I do hereby declare that'the followingis afull, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which- Figure l represents a side elevation, and Fig. 2 a longitudinal vertical section through the center ofthe heading-lever.

The arrangements for cutting off the rod and for pointing are omitted entirely in these figures, as they constitute no part of my improvement, and are not necessary to illustrate my invention.

The nature of my invention consists in sustaing the heading-lever upon a movablefulcrum, so that it shall be capable of a nice adjustment, so as to throw the fulcruin of it to any point inside or outside of a vertical line drawn touching the plane of the face of the gripping-dies or' at aright ,angle to the spikerod, whereby the machine is enabled to bend the end of the rod up or down, or otherwise, according to the adjustment, and effect the heading of the spike in either direction in one single motion upon its fulcrum.

Like parts in cach of these figures are indicated by the same letters of reference.

A represents the bed-plate, supported by the stanchions B, which is made of the usual form and of suitable proportions to sustain the moving parts of the machine, C C, the jaws, one stationary and the other movable, which constitute the gripping-dies, for holding and gripping the spike-rod while the bending, heading, and pointing is effected. The movable jaw is provided with a lever, D, which is operated by a worm-groove cut in the main shaft E, so as to open and close them at the proper time.

Thus far my machine is constructed in a similar manner to those in general use.

The heading-lever F consists of a horizontal shaft and a lever constructed of the form represented in the drawings, the shaft of it eX- tends across the under side of the bed, and is sustained or fulcrumed on two steel points, a, secured in the movable blocks G, only one of which blocks and pivots are seen in the drawings, the others being concealed as they occupy a position on the opposite side and eX- actly in line with those represented. These blocks, which carry the points a, are capable of a horizontal movement in the direction of the length of the machine, so as to adjust the fulcrum of the heading-lever to the right or left of the vertical line H H, according as it is desired to effect a bending and heading of the spike upward or downward. If the fulcrum is adjusted inside of said vertical line, as represented in the drawings, the machine will effect a heading of the spike upward, and if adjusted outside of said line the heading will b e effected downward. These blocks are accurately fitted in guides secured to or forming a part of the under side of each side of the bed A. They are moved to the right or left for adjusting the fulcrum of the heading-lever, as above stated, by means of the set-screws I I. These set screws are four in number, or a set of two to each of said blocks' and guides; but only two or one set of them are seen in the drawings. They work in threads in the end of the block-guides,their ends pressing against the ends of the blocks, so that by unscrewing one and screwing in the other of each set the blocks will be moved and fixed into position accordingly. Thus it will be seen that by this arrangement of the heading-lever it can be so adjusted as to bend the end of the rod up or down, and effect the heading in either direction, and with only one motion upon its fulcrum, and the machine is capable of being always kept in proper adjustment, the matrix of the heading-lever made to strike the end of the rod at the proper angle to bend the end of the rod, and draw up close with the grippingdies, so as at all times tov effect the heading in a perfect and sure manner. The heading-lever can also be adjusted in such a manner as t0 cause it to act obliquely either to the right or left on the end of the rod, so as to effect a heading of the spike obliquely to its point, and this niceness of adjustability enables me to make the head of any desired number of spikes very closely alike as to peculiarityin shape, as also to give great facility of changing from one peculiarity of shape in the head to another. This arrangement, with a little variation, can be made to turn the head of the spike in the opposite direction to the point, or to make what is called a reversed-headed spike.7 This variation I propose to make by swinging the heading-lever so as to work horizontally heading of the spike either up or down, or

instead of vertically. otherwise, in one single motion upon its ful- Having thus fully described my invention, crum, substantially as in the manner herein whatclaimtherein as neW,and desire to secure set forth.

by Letters Patent, is- In testimony Wh'ereof I have hereunto signed Sustaining the heading-lever upon a movmy name before tWo subscribing Witnesses.

able fulcrum, so as to be capable of adjustment J. C. CARY.

to the requisite distance inside or outside of a Witnesses:

vertical line drawn touching` the plane ofthe Trios. DoNoI-ro7 face of the grippingdies, for effecting the GEO. R. VEsT. 

